MAC Cosmetics

Though the shop is a good size and carries their full range of products, it can get absolutely packed full of people. It’s convenient location on Grafton street, and being apart of Brown Thomas, means it is very busy but I did find the staff to be very polite and helpful regardless. Most people go there for a makeover type deal (half the store is just makeup artist stations) so the staff are often busy with them, but if you manage to get ahold of one they are helpful and know what they’re talking about, which is why I love MAC. Although they work on commission, which I’ve found to be off putting in some other stores, at this particular shop they were very nice and definitely not trying to sell or up-​sell me on anything, which is encouraging when I just want to browse or know what I want. I went by for some samples, which they are happy to give out if you ask, which is another reason why I love this brand. I will be back, and often, but will avoid the peak hours when the staff are all tied up in makeovers, so it’s easier and faster to get in and out with what I need.

I love MAC as a brand and their concealer (Select Cover-​Up NW35) is the holy grail for my dark circles which I’ve been using for a good few years now. I also like the MAC lipsticks, not as much as the Bobbie Brown ones but they I find that they have a better selection of colours and more youthful shades. I’ve tried the blushes and eye shadows before but didn’t find much difference between them and the cheaper drug store brands. I’ve also used the Studio Select foundation which was pretty good but a bit too heavy. Overall though, the only thing I buy from MAC is the concealer and lipsticks.
With regards to this branch, it’s always so packed and it always takes ages to get someone to help you. I didn’t find the staff very helpful anyway, so I usually just choose things on my own without asking. There is just so many types of foundations and concealers that sometimes it can be so confusing, so it would be great if the staff were a little bit more helpful.
However, there has been numerous times where my shade or the colour I wanted was sold out. I’d say it’s best to avoid the busy weekends, especially Saturday afternoons where it’s jam packed! But this is probably the only counter where it’s safe to browse without being attacked my sales assistants!
My two star reduction is for 1. Staff not very helpful and kind of slow, 2. Out of stock too often.

No me gusta poner malas criticas. Pero creo que es una de las que merece al menos un comentario. Ayer estuve en esta tienda, iba dispuesta a dejarme allí el dinero que fuese ya que tenía claro los
Productos que quería. Buscaba unas sombras en concreto y un maquillaje que ya había visto por internet.
No sólo nadie se acercó a ayudarme, si no que cuando solicite ayuda, la dependienta acudió de mala gana, me bostezo en la
Cara varias veces y de los productos que me quería llevar solo me pudo ofrecer el maquillaje que ya lo había probado yo. Porque de lo demás no tenía ni idea, que me fuera a América a comprarlo me recomendó.

I used to love MAC and the cool vibe about it. These days my skin is too dry for their foundations but I still appreciate their high pigmented shadows, lipsticks and blushes. I fell in love with a MAC lippy a while back and was running out so I popped in on a Friday morning to re-​stock. I didn’t want to do the whole browsing thing so I was looking for assistance. Plenty of staff members about, not so much giving help to people though. I approached 3 make up artists chatting and asked for the specific time I was looking for, showing the old almost used-​up one. I was directed to the lipstick counter and told to browse for something similar as this particular one was discontinued. Ahem… ok, thanks for nothing. I decided I couldn’t find what I was looking for and was about to leave the store but as it (always) happens in MAC I got side-​tracked by another shiny display of stuff. And suddenly, 3 make up artists, one after the other, came over to offer their help. I guess my timing isn’t the best.

You know how some girls have a thing for shoes, some have a thing for handbags — well I have a thing for makeup… specifically MAC Cosmetics.
MAC Cosmetics has a concession store in Brown Thomas on Grafton Street and it is one of my favourite places in Dublin. :)
I often pop in on my way home from work (It is not good for the bank balance to walk home via Grafton Street on a daily basis!) to play with the products on the display stands or just to browse. The phrase «child in a candy store» comes to mind.
The staff are very friendly and helpful and they are not always after the hard sell, but actually seem interested in the products they are selling. Most importantly — they are all trained makeup artists and know what they are talking about. The product range is unbelievable and the quality is incredible. (I love the product names — a personal favourite is Love Nectar lipgloss)
MAC also offer makeup application services — costing € 45 for 1 hour, redeemable against products. I have had my makeup done here on a few occasions — I had professional photos taken on each occasion and I am delighted with how they turned out. The makeup artists didn’t force their opinions on me but offered advice on what was most suitable for my colouring. (I also left with a customised face chart — detailing all of the products used.)
WARNING: You may like everything in the shop — herein lies the problem. :)